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Mechanical Drafter Career - What is the Job of an Architectural Drafter? What do CAD Drafting Jobs Involve?
The work of a architectural drafter is to prepare technical plans on how to build everything from toys, to industrial machinery, the spacecraft. It was customary in the past four tractors to use pens, pencils, paper to draw a plan by hand, but with the advent of computers, drafters now have the aid of computer aided design and drafting, which is commonly abbreviated CAD. For this reason, drafters may also be called CAD operators.
Using CAD systems, drafters will quickly create a drawing of their plan using computer technology
Put simply, a drafter is to the design of products as an architect is to the design of buildings. There are many subsets of CAD drafting jobs.
Aeronautical drafters creates specifications and plans for the manufacture of missiles, aircraft, and spacecraft.
Civil drafters prepare designs for highways, bridges, sewage systems, and other common civil engineering projects.
Pipeline drafters, also known as process piping drafters , prepare designs for the construction of refineries, oil fields, and chemical plants.
Electrical drafters prepare the wiring layout for a building, providing the wiring blueprint for pretty much any building that uses power, such as communication centers, power plants, and electrical distribution systems.
Architectural drafters draw the structural features of buildings. Architectural drafting jobs involve specializing in a certain type of material and a certain type of structure, whether it be commercial or residential.
Electronics drafters are responsible for drawing circuit board assemblies, schematics, and layouts of electronic devices and opponents, such as mobile phones.
Working Conditions for Architectural Drafters - How is the Working Environment for CAD Drafting?
Since most of the drafting work is done with computer aided design drafting, a drafter will usually spend their days in comfortable offices, working a standard 40 hour workweek. The side effects of such a drafter job can result in eyestrain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and curvature of the spine if poor ergonomics is used.
Drafter Employment Education - Train to Become a CAD Operator - How to Receive Your Education as an CAD Designer
Drafters, whether they be electronic drafters or mechanical drafters, should be specializing in mathematics, science, and computer technology. Drafting can usually be accomplished by those with a two year degree at a technical institute, as most four year colleges do not offer it a four year course program in drafting.
Specialties such as architectural drafting or electrical drafting jobs may require education in other fields such as architectural design or electrical work.
Technical Drafter Certification - How to Become Certified as a Mechanical Drafter
Drafting certification is provided by the American Design Drafting Association, although it is not common for employers to require that a drafter be certified. This drafting test is called the Drafter Certification Test, which includes such topics as drawings, architectural terms, and drafting concepts.
CAD drafters who were starting out will work under an experienced drafter in their field, eventually working their way up to become an intermediate drafter, with the potential to advance to a senior drafter job at a later time. Some architectural drafters, especially those specializing in architectural or electrical drafting, may choose to get further education while working, and later become a full electrical engineer or architect.
Outlook for CAD Drafter Jobs - What is the Future of Architectural Drafting Jobs? What Will the Next Decade Hold for Architectural Drafting?
Drafting jobs are expected to grow at a modest pace of 6% over the next decade. Unfortunately, most jobs interacting are focused in manufacturing industries, which are being outsourced overseas. CAD drafting systems have also eliminated much of the busywork involved in drafting design.
Those architectural drafters with a superior education should have no problem finding work is a professional drafter, especially those who are incredibly comfortable around computers.
Drafter Salary Pay Scale - How Much Do Technical Drafters Earn?
The earnings of drafter jobs depend on the specialty. In 2006, the median earnings for architectural and civil drafters came to $41,960, while mechanical drafters earn an annual median salary of $43,700. Electrical and electronics drafters earned even more at $46,830.
Senior drafter salary is at an even higher rates and may own their own business that specializes in drafting design.